CONTENTS...4 Nitec in Nursing Pre-registration Re-accredited till 31 Oct 2009 ITE College East 5 ... Practising certificate fees 732,040 818,998 Re-registration fees 220 880 ... Others

CONTENTS Vision, Mission and Values

03

Foreword 04

Highlights in 2006 05

Our Board Members 08

Registration 10

Education 13

Complaints 14

Finance 15

Selected Characteristics of Nurses 18

2

VV

A global leader in nursing regulation

To uphold professional nursing standards and honour the public trust

Compassion, Commitment, Integrity, Professional, Excellence,

Respect and Transparency

VIIISSSIIIOOONNN

MMMIIISSSSSSIIIOOONNN

VVVAAALLLUUUEEESSS

3

FFFOOORRREEEWWWOOORRRDDD

22000066 marks a milestone for Nursing in Singapore with the Nurses and Midwives

(Amendment) Regulations 2006 and the Nurses and Midwives (Composition of Offences) Regulations 2006 being enforced on 1 July 2006.

The main changes in the Regulations provided for the legal framework to be set up for the Register for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and the mechanism and criteria for APN

certification. It also provided for the setting up of two key Committees – the APN Training Committee and the APN Accreditation Committee. The APN Training Committee

accredits courses leading to APN certification and the APN Accreditation Committee oversees the certification of APNs and matters relating to APN practice.

Notably, the Singapore Nursing Board has made several changes over time that support nursing practice to remain relevant and stay aligned to international practice. The APN

initiative is a relatively new effort for Singapore no doubt, but nevertheless is a good step for many more important milestones to come, for the profession as well as to safeguard

public safety and interest.

MRS NELLIE Tang M K Chairman

4

1. OUR LEGISLATION CHANGES The Nurses and Midwives (Amendment) Act 2005 came into operation on 1st April 2006. Flowing from the amendment of the Act, the Nurses and Midwives (Amendment) Regulations 2006 was approved by the Minister of Health and came into operation on 1st July 2006. These dates were significant as it provides for implementation of the Advanced Practice Nurse Register. 2. OUR BOARD CHANGES The tenure of the Board ended on 30 April 2006. A new Board was appointed on 1st May 2006 for 3 years. Mrs Nellie Tang was appointed as the Chairman of the new Board.

HHHIIIGGGHHHLLLIIIGGGHHHTTTSSS IIINNN

222000000666

5

3. OUR OVERSEAS VISITORS The Deputy Minister of Health from Brunei visited the Board and had discussions with the Registrar on 7th Aug 2006 to understand how nurses are regulated by the Board. On 12th June 2006, a delegation from the Indian Nursing Council visited the Singapore Nursing Board to explore a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) between the two countries. This flows from the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement talks between Singapore and India. On 28th December 2006, a delegation from the A Yani School of Health Sciences visited the Board to learn more about the regulation of nurses in Singapore.

Visitors from the A Yani School of Health Sciences, Indonesia

6

4. INTERNATIONAL MEETING Registrar and Executive Secretary attended the 6th Meeting of Regulatory Authorities from the Western South East Asian Nursing and Midwifery Regulators Meeting (WPSEAR) held in Wellington, New Zealand from 18 to 20 September 2006. There was a diversity of experiences ranging from countries with established Board practices and some countries about to embark on establishing a regulatory framework for nurses. Singapore has accepted the invitation to host the next WPSEAR meeting in 2008.

Visit to the Nursing Council of New Zealand by Registrar with other delegates during the WP/SEAR Meeting in Wellington.

7

OOOUUURRR BBBOOOAAARRRDDD

MMMEEEMMMBBBEEERRRSSS

We were privileged to have 3 good years under the Board whose term of office ended on 30 Apr 06. The baton was passed on to a new Board which was appointed by the Minister

of Health for a term of three years from 1 May 06 to 30 Apr 09.

CCCuuurrr rrreeennnttt BBBoooaaarrrddd (((TTTeeerrrmmm fff rrrooommm 111 MMMaaayyy 000666 tttooo 333000 AAAppprrr 000999))) Chairman Mrs Nellie Tang Muay Kiah Chief Executive Officer Mount Elizabeth Hospital Registrar Ms Ang Beng Choo Chief Nursing Officer Ministry of Health Ex-officio Members Dr Lau Hong Choon Representing Director of Medical Services Ministry of Health Mdm Low Khah Gek Deputy Director (Sciences) Representing Director-General Ministry of Education Members Ms Ang Neo Kim Emily Ms Chen Yee Chui Dr Choo Li Nah Ms Gwee Mui Boon Ms Lee Heng Pheng A/Prof Terry Kaan Sheung-Hung Ms Lee Swee Hia Ms Low Beng Hoi Ms Pang Yann Lih Annie Ms Tan Cheng Jee Pauline Ms Tan Wee King Ms Wong Luan Wah Mr Yong Keng Kwang

PPrreevviioouuss BBooaarrdd ((TTeerrmm eennddeedd oonn 3300 AApprr 0066)) Chairman Professor K Satku Director of Medical Services Ministry of Health Registrar Ms Ang Beng Choo Chief Nursing Officer Ministry of Health Ex-officio Member Ms Poon Chew Leng Deputy Director (Sciences) Representing Director-General Ministry of Education Members Ms Emily Ang Neo Kim Ms Gwee Mui Boon Ms Gwee Pek Hoon A/Prof Terry Kaan Sheung-Hung Ms Lee Heng Pheng Ms Lee Yen Yen Ms Jeanne Lim Dr Lim Suet Wun Dr Ling Sing Lin Ms Siti Zubaidah Mordiffi Ms Pauline Tan Cheng Jee Ms Tan Lay Geok Ms Peggy Tan Swee Keng Ms Nellie Tang Muay Kiah

8

9

RRREEEGGGIIISSSTTTRRRAAATTTIIIOOONNN

The Register and Roll saw an increase of 4% over the preceding year. As at end 2006, the total number of Nurses and Midwives stood at 20927. Chart 1 illustrates the composition of nurses and midwives.

No. of Nurses & Midwives

14171 14831 15452

4793 4989 5163

365 312347

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

2004 2005 2006

Year

Nos.

MWsENsRNs

Chart 1

10

Registrations during the year increased by 3.5% compared with that of year 2005 (1828 nos.). A total of 1891 nurses and midwives were registered (Table 1). Singaporeans comprised 44.6%, permanent residents 7.8% and foreigners 47.6% of the new registrants.

SSiinnggaappoorreeaannss PPeerrmmaanneenntt

RReessiiddeennttss FFoorreeiiggnn TToottaall

RReeggiisstteerreedd NNuurrsseess 606 115 574 1295

EEnnrroolllleedd NNuurrsseess 227 31 321 579

MMiiddwwiivveess 10 1 6 17

TToottaall 843 147 901 1891

Table 1: No. of new registrants

FFuullll CCoonnddiittiioonnaall TTeemmppoorraarryy TToottaall

RReeggiisstteerreedd NNuurrsseess 855 351 89 1295

EEnnrroolllleedd NNuurrsseess 243 336 0 579

MMiiddwwiivveess 13 4 0 17

TToottaall 1111 691 89 1891

Table 2: Types of Registrations

11

In 2006, the Board conducted 12 licensure examinations in Singapore, Philippines, China and India. There was a 36% decrease in the number of nurses and midwives who sat for the licensure examinations1. A total of 794 sat for the examinations of which 91% passed (Table 3).

No. of nurses and midwives who sat for the Singapore Nursing Board licensure examinations

PPaasssseedd FFaaiilleedd TToottaall

RReeggiisstteerreedd NNuurrsseess 352 51 403

EEnnrroolllleedd NNuurrsseess 361 21 382

MMiiddwwiivveess 7 2 9

TToottaall 720 74 794

Table 3

_ _____________________________________ 1 In 2005 there was 1242 nos. who sat for the licensure examination. 990 nos. passed and 252 nos. failed.

LLLIIICCCEEENNNSSSUUURRREEE EEEXXXAAAMMMIIINNNAAATTTIIIOOONNNSSS FFFOOORRR FFFOOORRREEEIIIGGGNNN---TTTRRRAAAIIINNNEEEDDD NNNUUURRRSSSEEESSS

12

E There were 8 courses accredited in 2006.

Course Title Type of Course Period of Accreditation Institution

1 Bachelor of Nursing Post-registration Re-accredited till 30 Nov 2008

University of Sydney and Singapore Institute of

Management

2 Bachelor of Nursing Post-registration Re-accredited till 8 Jul 2009

La Trobe University and Singapore Nurses

Association

3 Diploma in Nursing Pre-registration Re-accredited till 31 Dec 2009 Nanyang Polytechnic

4 Nitec in Nursing Pre-registration Re-accredited till 31 Oct 2009 ITE College East

5 Specialist Diploma in Radiology Nursing Specialist Diploma 4 April 2009

Nanyang Polytechnic

6 Induction Course for Foreign-Educated

Nurses Short course Not applicable Harriet Business School

7 Oncology Nursing

Course for Registered Nurses

Short course Not applicable Parkway Academy, Parkway Hospitals

Singapore

8 Senior Enrolled Nurses

Developmental Programme

Short course Not applicable The Alice Lee Institute of

Advanced Nursing, Singapore General

Hospital

EEDDDUUUCCCAAATTTIIIOOONNN

13

C

The Board received 2 complaints against nurses during the year. On investigation, there was no evidence of misconduct for both cases.

CCOOOMMMPPPLLLAAAIIINNNTTTSSS

14

FFFIIINNNAAANNNCCCEEE

The audited financial statements for year ending 31 March 2007 reflected a healthy surplus of $202,131.

Income and Expenditure Income decreased by 5.8% to $964,553 compared with the preceding year. The practising certificate fee (75.9%) continues to be the main source of income. Expenditure increased by 1.2% to $720,022.

15

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2007 2007 2006 $ $ ACCUMULATED SURPLUS 1,932,191 1,730,060 REPRESENTED BY NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, plant and equipment 2,878 21,407 Fixed deposit with financial institution 740,000 - 742,878 21,407 CURRENT ASSETS Fees receivable 840 4,220 Other receivables 19,746 22,387 Cash and bank balances 1,842,930 2,276,036 1,863,516 2,302,643 LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES Payables 45,387 28,843 Advance practising certificate fees received 578,311 492,151 Provision for contribution to consolidated fund 50,505 65,000 674,203 585,994 Net current assets 1,189,313 1,716,649 LESS NON-CURRENT LIABILITY Deferred capital grant - (7,996)

Total net assets 1,932,191 1,730,060

16

Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2007 2007 2006 $ $ INCOME Application fees 50,600 65,220 Registration fees 60,410 39,670 Enrolment income 19,130 12,480 Practising certificate fees 732,040 818,998 Re-registration fees 220 880 Replacement charges 5,350 9,400 Service charges 52,066 54,937 Interest income 24,037 12,002 Interest on fixed deposit 7,400 - Late charges 13,300 13,420 Other income - 350 964,553 1,027,357 LESS EXPENDITURE Audit fee 5,742 2,184 Central provident fund contributions 16,881 17,847 Committee expenses 226 214 Computer operation & maintenance 84,836 102,427 Depreciation on property, plant and equipment 20,752 19,380 Legal expenses 20,333 - Medical fees 358 679 Miscellaneous 8,213 8,423 Office equipment maintenance 6,928 1,816 Postages 16,378 16,564 Printing & stationery 25,754 20,796 Refreshments 195 86 Rental of premises 38,070 38,340 Salaries 457,223 463,709 Staff Training 5,741 7,005 Staff welfare 1,593 1,589 Transport expenses 1,082 825 Utilities 9,717 9,013 720,022 710,897 Surplus before grant 244,531 316,460 Deferred capital grant 7,996 7,996 Surplus before contribution to consolidated fund 252,527 324,456 Contribution to consolidated fund - - current year (50,505) (65,000) - prior year 109 4,064 (50,396) (60,936) Surplus for the year 202,131 263,520

17

SSSEEELLLEEECCCTTTEEEDDD CCCHHHAAARRRAAACCCTTTEEERRRIIISSSTTTIIICCCSSS

OOOFFF NNNUUURRRSSSEEESSS

18

SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF REGISTERED NURSES Selected Characteristics 2004 2005 2006

TOTAL

SEX Male Female

ETHNIC GROUP Chinese Malay Indian Others

ACTIVITY STATUS Working Full-time Working Part-time Not Working/Unknown Doing Non-nursing work

EMPLOYMENT Public Sector Private Sector

CITIZENSHIP Singaporean/Permanent Resident Malaysian Chinese (PRC) Filipino Indian Myanmar Others

MARITAL STATUS Single Married Divorced/Widowed/Others

AGE Under 30 yrs 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50-59 yrs Above 60 yrs

14171

1095 13076

9639 1426 1314 1792

10629 702

2112 728

7763 3568

11443 342 668

1253 - -

465

5915 7955 301

5561 3479 2834 1798 499

14831

1188 13643

10028 1537 1441 1825

11277 757

2000 781

8165 3869

12434 335 601

1012 - -

449

6154 8356 321

6313 3453 2818 1782 465

15452

1231 14221

10402 1648 1554 1848

12243 818

1587 804

8495 4566

13437 337 539 745 136 82

176

6395 8697 360

4891 4165 2646 2832 918

19

SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF ENROLLED NURSES Selected Characteristics 2004 2005 2006

TOTAL

SEX Male Female

ETHNIC GROUP Chinese Malay Indian Others

ACTIVITY STATUS Working Full-time Working Part-time Not Working/Unknown Doing Non-nursing work

EMPLOYMENT Public Sector Private Sector

CITIZENSHIP Singaporean/Permanent Resident Malaysian Chinese (PRC) Filipino Indian Myanmar Others

MARITAL STATUS Single Married Divorced/Widowed/Others

AGE Under 30 yrs 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50-59 yrs Above 60 yrs

4793

248 4545

1575 958

1100 1160

3615 162 871 145

2665 1112

3046 58

121 849

- -

719

2113 2554 126

2224 1368 549 395 257

4989

251 4738

1644 1059 1104 1182

3865 177 796 151

2823 1219

3445 49

115 723

- -

657

2202 2648 139

2445 1386 545 380 233

5163

274 4889

1661 1143 1109 1250

4248 192 559 164

2956 1484

4105 43 78

498 194 203 42

2226 2797 140

1711 1670 974 398 410

20

SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF REGISTERED MIDWIVES Selected Characteristics 2004 2005 2006

TOTAL

SEX Male Female

ETHNIC GROUP Chinese Malay Indian Others

ACTIVITY STATUS Working Full-time Working Part-time Not Working/Unknown Doing Non-nursing work

EMPLOYMENT Public Sector Private Sector

CITIZENSHIP Singaporean/Permanent Resident Malaysian Chinese (PRC) Filipino Indian Myanmar Others

MARITAL STATUS Single Married Divorced/Widowed/Others

AGE Under 30 yrs 30-39 yrs 40-49 yrs 50-59 yrs Above 60 yrs

365

- 365

303 32 19 11

201 25

130 9

157 69

354 8 0 2 - - 1

56 293 16

2 5

74 178 106

347

- 347

283 29 19 16

181 26

129 11

136 71

335 6 0 5 - - 1

57 273 17

6 6

73 167 95

312

- 312

257 31 15 9

159 23

118 12

123 59

307 4 0 1 0 0 0

52 248 12

0 2

65 64

181

21

This page has been left intentionally blank.

22

This page has been left intentionally blank.

23